Wednesday, July 5, 2006The China Post staff

Every adopted child has the right to know where they came from and who their biological parents are. In order to protect this right, the Children’s Bureau (CB) under the Ministry of the Interior and the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) has established a Child and Juvenile Adoption Information Center (CJAIC) yesterday in --inDian, Taipei County.

The CB and CWLF held a press conference to promote awareness of this newly established service. Their motto for the CJAIC is “Convenient, professional, safe and reliable.”

During the press conference, CWLF President Lin Jih-jia explained that in today’s society, the image of adoption should be healthy and positive. It should not be something shameful.

In the past, adoptions were often kept secret because both the adopting parents and biological parents felt ashamed. Due to more modern morals and beliefs, many parents are open to adoption and adopted children are aware of their adoption. Lin stated that it human nature to want to know who we are and where we come from.

It is important for adopted children to know their biological background due to scientific factors such as the possibility of any inherited diseases. Lin adds that this knowledge can also avoid any possibilities of incest.

According to Child and Juvenile Welfare Law number 17, the CB must establish a system allowing adopted children to gain information regarding their biological parents.

The CJAIC program is nation wide in scope. By the age of 20, adopted children can gain access to their biological parents’ information by contacting the CJAIC. Children under 20 must obtain permission from their adopted parents.

The CJAIC currently holds approximately ten thousand adoption documents, with a rate of ten new documents per day. “It is our responsibility to provide a healthy, positive and happy environment for adoption families because we believe it is a good thing.” said Lin.

To learn more about the CJAIC, please visit their web site at www.adoptinfo.org.tw or www.children.org.tw